Date of Award

8-1-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nursing

Abstract

An estimated 20-30% of all surgery patients experience postoperative nausea and vomiting. These percentages could affect more than one million patients every year. The purpose of this study was to look at the effectiveness of low dose granisetron, a common antiemetic used for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This chart review looked at patients between the ages of 18-70 that had undergone open cholecystectomy and abdominal hysterectomy surgeries at a midwestem rural hospital. This study evaluated those patients that received granisetron and the need for additional antiemetics in the first 24 hours after surgery. This was a retrospective chart review using a convenience sample of 200 patients utilizing a data collection tool designed by the researcher. The study is a descriptive analysis of the use of granisetron for PONY. Data collection was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) method. The researcher found that a statistically significant number of patients that received low dose granisetron required rescue antiemetics within the first 24 hours after surgery. Of the 200 charts reviewed 179 met study criteria and of these 131 received low dose granisetron during surgery. Of the 131 patients that received granisetron 86 or 65.6% (p = <.000) needed rescue antiemetics. Thus, in this patient population low dose granisetron was not effective in decreasing PONV. If PONV is reduced, there will be an increase in patient satisfaction, safety, and a decrease in health care costs. This facility’s current protocol for low dose granisetron is not a cost effective intraoperative antiemetic as evidenced by the need for rescue antiemetics in the first 24 hours post-op. This study did not show a correlation between the use of morphine for post-op pain control and the increased need for rescue antiemetics. The information from this study is beneficial to anesthesia providers in helping prevent and treat postoperative nausea and vomiting and to nursing professionals in helping improve patient outcome and satisfaction following open cholecystectomy and abdominal hysterectomy surgery.

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